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Washington Post
12 hours ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Democrats in Virginia have a hefty fundraising advantage heading into November general election
RICHMOND, Va. — Democrats in Virginia have built up a hefty fundraising advantage for their effort to reclaim the governor's mansion in a November election that is seen as a bellwether for the party in power in Washington ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA spy turned congresswoman, has a more than 2-to-1 fundraising advantage over her GOP opponent for governor, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who has struggled to draw support from her fellow Republicans. Both were unopposed for their party's nominations and were able to focus on the fall general election without having to overcome a challenge in this week's primaries . The match-up means Virginia is all but certain to elect the state's first female governor. Spanberger has amassed $6.5 million toward her campaign for governor over the last two months after raising $6.7 million between January and March, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. Combined with the money Spanberger raised in 2024, she has gathered $22.8 million and still has $14.3 million in her coffers. Earle-Sears, meanwhile, spent more than she earned between April and June , bringing in $3.5 million and spending $4.6 million. Between January and March, she also raised a little over $3.1 million. In total, she has raked in nearly $9.2 million since launching her campaign last September. Now, she has a little under $3 million in the bank, according to Virginia Public Access Project data. In a statement, Earle-Sears' campaign said the candidate is putting forward a message for Virginians that money can't buy. 'Clearly the Spanberger campaign needs a lot of help attempting to erase Abigail's bad voting record on issues that actually matter to Virginians,' press secretary Peyton Vogel said in an email. 'This race isn't being bought — it's being built on a message that matters.' Virginia is one of two states, along with New Jersey, that host statewide elections this year. The contests will be closely watched as a measure of whether voters in the shadow of Washington will embrace President Donald Trump's aggressive effort to overhaul the federal government, or be repelled by it. Democrats' outsized fundraising lead ahead of the primaries may reflect local Democratic enthusiasm and the party's ability to push people to the polls in light of Trump being in office. Mark J. Rozell, dean of George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government, also referenced the noticeable frostiness among leading state Republicans. The party's statewide nominees have yet to campaign together, despite securing their nominations at the end of April. 'Enthusiasm drives fundraising and in Virginia right now the Democrats' voting base has much greater enthusiasm' than Republicans, Rozell said. 'It is reminiscent of Trump's first term in office when Democratic fundraising and ultimately voting overwhelmed the Republicans in Virginia.' Money does not guarantee success, however. In the last Virginia governor's race, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe outspent Republican Glenn Youngkin, who had invested $20 million of his own money in the race. Youngkin still clinched the election by nearly two points. Youngkin, who is term-limited from seeking reelection, has offered more than $21,000 in support to Earle-Sears through his political action committee. When asked whether he would donate more, his PAC responded, 'Governor Youngkin is working to elect the entire GOP ticket and is urging all Virginians to support the commonsense team this November to keep Virginia winning.' The Democrats' fundraising advantage isn't confined to the governor's race. State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi , who eked out a primary win in a close three-way contest for lieutenant governor, raised nearly $1.8 million in her primary race and has $462,000 remaining. The Republican nominee, conservative talk-radio host John Reid , raised nearly $312,000 since launching his campaign and has $116,000 remaining. The only statewide GOP candidate with a fundraising lead, incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, has $2.3 million in the bank after raising a total of $4.6 million. His Democratic opponent, Jay Jones, has raised $2.7 million . He had about $493,000 left at the beginning of June, reports show. This year, all three Democratic statewide candidates are backed by Clean Virginia, a political group that pushes for clean energy and often takes on legislative challenges against Dominion Energy, Virginia's largest utility. The two groups are some of the most influential entities lobbying on state politics and policy. With energy demand likely to be a key issue in November, their influence could be significant. According to the nonpartisan public-access group, Spanberger has taken in $465,000 from the environmental organization. On Tuesday, Clean Virginia endorsed Hashmi's candidacy for lieutenant governor, following its previous donations to her state Senate campaign committee. During his campaign, Jones also received $1.5 million from Clean Virginia, while his primary opponent, Democrat Shannon Taylor, accepted $800,000 from Dominion Energy between 2024 and 2025. Clean Virginia released attack ads targeting Taylor for accepting Dominion money. The energy utility has become entangled in other statewide battles. On the Republican ticket, Earle-Sears accepted $50,000 from Dominion in March. Miyares also gained $450,000 from the utility so far this year. Clean Virginia has donated to both Democrats and Republicans, including to candidates running for the House of Delegates , where all 100 members are up for reelection in November. Democrats who control the legislature are hoping to keep or expand their thin majority and amend the state's Constitution to protect rights to voting, marriage equality and abortion. Democratic candidates have raised about $16.9 million in those races, with $3.2 million stemming from House Speaker Don Scott. Meanwhile, Republicans have raised $8.8 million, with former Minority Leader Todd Gilbert earning over $643,000, and newly tapped Minority Leader Terry Kilgore raising nearly $470,000. ——— Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Associated Press
12 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Democrats in Virginia have a hefty fundraising advantage heading into November general election
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democrats in Virginia have built up a hefty fundraising advantage for their effort to reclaim the governor's mansion in a November election that is seen as a bellwether for the party in power in Washington ahead of the 2026 midterms. Democrat Abigail Spanberger, a former CIA spy turned congresswoman, has a more than 2-to-1 fundraising advantage over her GOP opponent for governor, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who has struggled to draw support from her fellow Republicans. Both were unopposed for their party's nominations and were able to focus on the fall general election without having to overcome a challenge in this week's primaries. The match-up means Virginia is all but certain to elect the state's first female governor. Spanberger has amassed $6.5 million toward her campaign for governor over the last two months after raising $6.7 million between January and March, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project. Combined with the money Spanberger raised in 2024, she has gathered $22.8 million and still has $14.3 million in her coffers. Earle-Sears, meanwhile, spent more than she earned between April and June, bringing in $3.5 million and spending $4.6 million. Between January and March, she also raised a little over $3.1 million. In total, she has raked in nearly $9.2 million since launching her campaign last September. Now, she has a little under $3 million in the bank, according to Virginia Public Access Project data. In a statement, Earle-Sears' campaign said the candidate is putting forward a message for Virginians that money can't buy. 'Clearly the Spanberger campaign needs a lot of help attempting to erase Abigail's bad voting record on issues that actually matter to Virginians,' press secretary Peyton Vogel said in an email. 'This race isn't being bought — it's being built on a message that matters.' Virginia is one of two states, along with New Jersey, that host statewide elections this year. The contests will be closely watched as a measure of whether voters in the shadow of Washington will embrace President Donald Trump's aggressive effort to overhaul the federal government, or be repelled by it. Democrats' outsized fundraising lead ahead of the primaries may reflect local Democratic enthusiasm and the party's ability to push people to the polls in light of Trump being in office. Mark J. Rozell, dean of George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government, also referenced the noticeable frostiness among leading state Republicans. The party's statewide nominees have yet to campaign together, despite securing their nominations at the end of April. 'Enthusiasm drives fundraising and in Virginia right now the Democrats' voting base has much greater enthusiasm' than Republicans, Rozell said. 'It is reminiscent of Trump's first term in office when Democratic fundraising and ultimately voting overwhelmed the Republicans in Virginia.' Money does not guarantee success, however. In the last Virginia governor's race, former Gov. Terry McAuliffe outspent Republican Glenn Youngkin, who had invested $20 million of his own money in the race. Youngkin still clinched the election by nearly two points. Youngkin, who is term-limited from seeking reelection, has offered more than $21,000 in support to Earle-Sears through his political action committee. When asked whether he would donate more, his PAC responded, 'Governor Youngkin is working to elect the entire GOP ticket and is urging all Virginians to support the commonsense team this November to keep Virginia winning.' The Democrats' fundraising advantage isn't confined to the governor's race. State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, who eked out a primary win in a close three-way contest for lieutenant governor, raised nearly $1.8 million in her primary race and has $462,000 remaining. The Republican nominee, conservative talk-radio host John Reid, raised nearly $312,000 since launching his campaign and has $116,000 remaining. The only statewide GOP candidate with a fundraising lead, incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, has $2.3 million in the bank after raising a total of $4.6 million. His Democratic opponent, Jay Jones, has raised $2.7 million. He had about $493,000 left at the beginning of June, reports show. This year, all three Democratic statewide candidates are backed by Clean Virginia, a political group that pushes for clean energy and often takes on legislative challenges against Dominion Energy, Virginia's largest utility. The two groups are some of the most influential entities lobbying on state politics and policy. With energy demand likely to be a key issue in November, their influence could be significant. According to the nonpartisan public-access group, Spanberger has taken in $465,000 from the environmental organization. On Tuesday, Clean Virginia endorsed Hashmi's candidacy for lieutenant governor, following its previous donations to her state Senate campaign committee. During his campaign, Jones also received $1.5 million from Clean Virginia, while his primary opponent, Democrat Shannon Taylor, accepted $800,000 from Dominion Energy between 2024 and 2025. Clean Virginia released attack ads targeting Taylor for accepting Dominion money. The energy utility has become entangled in other statewide battles. On the Republican ticket, Earle-Sears accepted $50,000 from Dominion in March. Miyares also gained $450,000 from the utility so far this year. Clean Virginia has donated to both Democrats and Republicans, including to candidates running for the House of Delegates, where all 100 members are up for reelection in November. Democrats who control the legislature are hoping to keep or expand their thin majority and amend the state's Constitution to protect rights to voting, marriage equality and abortion. Democratic candidates have raised about $16.9 million in those races, with $3.2 million stemming from House Speaker Don Scott. Meanwhile, Republicans have raised $8.8 million, with former Minority Leader Todd Gilbert earning over $643,000, and newly tapped Minority Leader Terry Kilgore raising nearly $470,000. ——— Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
CNN
17 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
Living in fear in Iran, Dodger Stadium dispute, marijuana risks: Catch up on the day's stories
👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! That extra fee for a plastic shopping bag at the grocery store is actually making a difference for marine ecosystems. Those policies are associated with a 25% to 47% decrease in plastic bag litter in shoreline cleanups, a new study found. Here's what else you might have missed during your busy day. 1️⃣ Living in fear: After days of tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran, the civilians stuck in the middle are feeling desperation and despair. Israel's bombing campaigns have taken out much of the key leadership in Iran's military and nuclear program. 2️⃣ Stadium dispute: The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Trump administration are at odds over what happened when federal agents showed up outside Dodger Stadium. Protesters began chanting anti-ICE slogans, but the government said there were no operations related to the baseball team. 3️⃣ A female first: A key election in Virginia this fall will make history no matter who wins: Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears will become the state's first elected female governor. Neither candidate is talking much about it. 4️⃣ Cannabis risks: Marijuana use dramatically increases the chance of dying from a heart attack or stroke, according to a new analysis. Experts say weed's higher potency is a growing concern when it comes to potential health problems. 5️⃣ Cracks and dents: It's fair to say that the Florida Panthers are enjoying their Stanley Cup victory celebrations — but they've come at the expense of the trophy itself. Get '5 Things' in your inbox If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. 💥 'Major anomaly': In the latest setback for Elon Musk's SpaceX venture, a Starship rocket preparing for a test flight exploded into a giant fireball in southern Texas. No one was injured, and the cause is under investigation. • Trump to allow up to two weeks for diplomacy before deciding on US strike on Iran• Unpacking the second trial and verdict that cleared Karen Read of murder• How a leaked phone call between a former strongman and a young leader could topple a government 🚘 That's how much General Motors said it would invest in three US plants to boost production of gas and electric vehicles. ✨ Living in your skin: Membership of traditional naturist organizations and clubs is on the decline, but there are growing numbers of people embracing clothing-free lifestyles. Check out these communities whether it's to explore your newfound freedom or grow closer to nature, your community and yourself. 'I don't know how I survived … For some time, I thought I was going to die. But when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive.' Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the Air India plane crash 🛩️ Sole survivor: Moments after the plane crashed, the 40-year-old unbuckled himself and stepped out of the scene that had just killed 241 people — including his brother Ajay Ramesh. A day after his discharge from the hospital, he solemnly carried his loved one's coffin, performing the last rites for a life lost in the deadly disaster. 😷 A new coronavirus variant surging in China has arrived in the US. What is it called?A. DeltaB. OmicronC. AlphaD. Nimbus⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. 💙 Something old, something new: Piercing blue eyes. Strong brows. A nose similar to that of Cheddar Man. These are the features of a prehistoric woman who lived around 10,500 years ago in what is now Belgium. Researchers studying the remains have produced a reconstruction of her face using ancient DNA. Take a look. 👋 We'll see you tomorrow.🧠 Quiz answer: D. The NB.1.8.1 coronavirus variant, known as Nimbus, has been linked to about one-third of new cases in the US.📧 Check out all of CNN's newsletters. 5 Things PM is edited and produced by CNN's Chris Good, Meghan Pryce, Kimberly Richardson and Morgan Severson.
CNN
19 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
Living in fear in Iran, Dodger Stadium dispute, marijuana risks: Catch up on the day's stories
👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! That extra fee for a plastic shopping bag at the grocery store is actually making a difference for marine ecosystems. Those policies are associated with a 25% to 47% decrease in plastic bag litter in shoreline cleanups, a new study found. Here's what else you might have missed during your busy day. 1️⃣ Living in fear: After days of tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran, the civilians stuck in the middle are feeling desperation and despair. Israel's bombing campaigns have taken out much of the key leadership in Iran's military and nuclear program. 2️⃣ Stadium dispute: The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Trump administration are at odds over what happened when federal agents showed up outside Dodger Stadium. Protesters began chanting anti-ICE slogans, but the government said there were no operations related to the baseball team. 3️⃣ A female first: A key election in Virginia this fall will make history no matter who wins: Democrat Abigail Spanberger or Republican Winsome Earle-Sears will become the state's first elected female governor. Neither candidate is talking much about it. 4️⃣ Cannabis risks: Marijuana use dramatically increases the chance of dying from a heart attack or stroke, according to a new analysis. Experts say weed's higher potency is a growing concern when it comes to potential health problems. 5️⃣ Cracks and dents: It's fair to say that the Florida Panthers are enjoying their Stanley Cup victory celebrations — but they've come at the expense of the trophy itself. Get '5 Things' in your inbox If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. 💥 'Major anomaly': In the latest setback for Elon Musk's SpaceX venture, a Starship rocket preparing for a test flight exploded into a giant fireball in southern Texas. No one was injured, and the cause is under investigation. • Trump to allow up to two weeks for diplomacy before deciding on US strike on Iran• Unpacking the second trial and verdict that cleared Karen Read of murder• How a leaked phone call between a former strongman and a young leader could topple a government 🚘 That's how much General Motors said it would invest in three US plants to boost production of gas and electric vehicles. ✨ Living in your skin: Membership of traditional naturist organizations and clubs is on the decline, but there are growing numbers of people embracing clothing-free lifestyles. Check out these communities whether it's to explore your newfound freedom or grow closer to nature, your community and yourself. 'I don't know how I survived … For some time, I thought I was going to die. But when I opened my eyes, I realized I was alive.' Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, the only survivor of the Air India plane crash 🛩️ Sole survivor: Moments after the plane crashed, the 40-year-old unbuckled himself and stepped out of the scene that had just killed 241 people — including his brother Ajay Ramesh. A day after his discharge from the hospital, he solemnly carried his loved one's coffin, performing the last rites for a life lost in the deadly disaster. 😷 A new coronavirus variant surging in China has arrived in the US. What is it called?A. DeltaB. OmicronC. AlphaD. Nimbus⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. 💙 Something old, something new: Piercing blue eyes. Strong brows. A nose similar to that of Cheddar Man. These are the features of a prehistoric woman who lived around 10,500 years ago in what is now Belgium. Researchers studying the remains have produced a reconstruction of her face using ancient DNA. Take a look. 👋 We'll see you tomorrow.🧠 Quiz answer: D. The NB.1.8.1 coronavirus variant, known as Nimbus, has been linked to about one-third of new cases in the US.📧 Check out all of CNN's newsletters. 5 Things PM is edited and produced by CNN's Chris Good, Meghan Pryce, Kimberly Richardson and Morgan Severson.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia Democrats coalesce as primary election sets statewide ticket. Will Republicans?
Virginia Democrats solidified their statewide ticket Tuesday, voting for state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi as the nominee for lieutenant governor and former Del. Jay Jones as the nominee for attorney general in the state's primary elections. Before the lieutenant governor's primary had been called, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger issued her congratulations, calling Hashmi a 'proven leader.' With the stage set for Virginia's bellwether election, Spanberger, Hashmi and Jones put out a joint statement Wednesday emphasizing their unified campaign. 'As the Democratic ticket running to serve as Virginia's next Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, we are united in our focus on the issues that matter to our fellow Virginians,' they wrote. Hashmi and Jones are scheduled appear at stops along Spanberger's planned eight-day bus tour around the commonwealth, according to a spokesperson for her campaign. The tour kicks off Saturday in Richmond, making its way throughout the state until ending in Hampton Roads on June 28. That's a markedly different strategy from Virginia Republicans, who have had a set statewide ticket since April but have thus far been going it alone. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares, and conservative radio host John Reid are the party's nominees for governor, attorney general and lieutenant governor, but have yet to appear together in public. The parties' tickets are notably diverse — without a straight white man nominated for any of the positions. In an interview at the end of May, Reid said he had not spoken to Gov. Glenn Youngkin since the governor asked him to step down as the nominee. At the time, Youngkin cited a social media account that posted risqué images of men that matched the username of other accounts Reid used. With DEI under attack, here's how Virginia's diverse slate of candidates talk about identity On Wednesday, Reid for the first time shared a graphic of the Republican statewide ticket to social media with the caption 'The GOP ticket is ready to lead.' Neither Earle-Sears nor Miyares had posted anything similar at press time. In the aftermath of Youngkin's phone call and Reid's refusal to step down, Earle-Sears briefly acknowledged that Reid was the nominee, but has not mentioned him on social media since. 'We all have our own race to run,' she said at the time. In Tuesday's Democratic and Republican primaries, Hampton Roads voters also decided who will represent them in the November general election for House Districts 70, 89 and 97. ____ Hashmi, who will be the first Muslim and first Indian-American to appear on a ballot for statewide office, emerged victorious from a field of six running for the party's nomination for lieutenant governor with 27.5% of the vote. 'Today, we've made history yet again, not just by winning this primary, but by declaring with one voice that Virginia is not going to be bullied or broken or dragged backwards by the chaos that's unfolding in Washington,' she said Tuesday night. The next closest candidate, former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, conceded the race Wednesday morning with 26.7% of the vote. State Sen. Aaron Rouse of Virginia Beach finished in third with 26.1% of the vote and conceded Tuesday night. Three other Democrats trailed, each earning less than 10% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the state Department of Elections. In a video Tuesday night, Reid congratulated Hashmi, welcomed her to the campaign trail — then went on the attack. 'Sen. Hashmi, sadly, has been one of the biggest cheerleaders for the high taxes, anti-business, trans radicalism, and government-knows-better-than-parents attitude that's crushing our families and endangering our future,' he said. ____ Two Hampton Roads candidates will compete in November's election. Jones, of Norfolk, won a close race with 51% of the vote against Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor. He will face Miyares of Virginia Beach in the general election. At a party in Norfolk, Jones said Tuesday he was ready to fight and to win and called Miyares Donald Trump's 'pro bono lawyer.' 'We deserve better,' said Jones, who represented parts of Norfolk in the House of Delegates from 2018 to 2021. 'We can do better, and we will get better this November.' Miyares, who represented parts of Virginia Beach in the House from 2016 to 2021, fired shots of his own in a statement posted to X. 'My opponent's ideological record makes Virginia families less safe and our streets more violent,' he wrote. 'The law is a shield to keep people safe, not a sword for social justice warriors or a platform for grand social experiments.' ____ In Newport News, Republicans voted for Cynthia Scaturico to represent the party against incumbent Democrat Del. Shelly Simonds to represent House District 70. Scaturico beat Hailey Dollar, a newcomer to politics, with 74% of the vote. Scaturico previously held a board of supervisors seat in Iowa before moving to Newport News. She said her priorities included protecting workers' rights, education reform and local homelessness. Voters in Chesapeake and Suffolk chose also Democrat Karen 'Kacey' Carnegie and Republican Mike Lamonea to meet in the November House District 89 race. Carnegie beat Blaizen Buckshot Bloom with more than 77% of the vote as of Wednesday. 'With tonight's win, we're one step closer to flipping HD-89 — one of the most competitive districts in Virginia — and expanding the Democratic majority in the House of Delegates,' Carnegie said in a release. Lamonea beat Kristen Shannon with 66% of the vote as of Wednesday. 'As we turn our focus to November, I look forward to continuing the conversation with voters about lowering taxes, improving education, protecting our constitutional rights and ensuring safe communities,' he said Tuesday night. And Virginia Beach Republicans overwhelmingly voted for Tim Anderson to compete against Democratic incumbent Del. Michael Feggans. Anderson, an attorney, won the House District 97 primary against Christina Felder with about 92% of the vote. The attorney and former delegate said he wants to substantially lower the car tax, and instead use Virginia's budget surplus to reimburse localities for the lost revenue. 'We ran a clean message on eliminating the car tax, and it resonated overwhelming with the district,' Anderson said by phone Tuesday night. 'Virginia has the surplus to do it. That's going to be our campaign promise.' Staff writers Trevor Metcalfe, Stacy Parker, Natalie Anderson and Devlin Epding contributed to this report. Kate Seltzer, 757-713-7881, kateseltzer@
